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5 Health Benefits of Eating Blueberries

Blueberries are a nutrient powerhouse and provide a refreshing way to stay healthy. They are packed with antioxidants which are able to help control cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and age-related conditions.

Berries are loaded with fiber — in fact a small handful is more than enough to match the daily fiber intake. Blueberries are virtually fat-free and contain around 82 calories per cup. Also, blueberries are a reliable source of manganese, which helps convert fats and carbohydrates into energy and important for bone health.

Below are five reasons to eat more blueberries:

Dose of vitamin C

Blueberries are a rich source of vitamin C and a one cup serving can provide about 25% of the recommended daily value. A healthy intake of vitamin C is appreciated for its ability to promote the immune system, maintain strong gums, and helps collagen formation.

A 1 cup serving of blueberries has 14 mg of vitamin C. This antioxidant can help to reduce the risk of eye conditions, such as glaucoma, which is a disease that can lead to blindness.

Heart Health

Berries (blueberries, strawberries, etc.) are believed to help lower the risk of heart disease. This is possible because of the high amount of anthocyanins. Flavonoids like anthocyanins are beneficial for the ability to slow the build-up of plaque and enhance cardiovascular health. A three weekly serving of these fruits is more than enough to provide these health benefits.

Obesity, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure are among the most common reason to experience issues with heart disease.

Lower cancer risk

The anthocyanins content in blueberries is able to go beyond improving the heart health; they are also appreciated for their ability to fight-off free radicals related to cancer and perhaps block the growth of certain tumors forming.

Studies indicated a regular intake of blueberries has the ability to offer a therapeutic agent to help with the prevention of prostate cancer.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

A urinary tract infection is caused by bacterial growth in this area of the body. Common symptoms related to UTIs include pelvic pain, strong-smelling urine, and a persistent urge to urinate. This health complaint is most common in women (1 in 10) and about 50% of women are likely to experience a problem with UTIs at some point during their life.

Blueberries are packed with a compound that helps to stop or flow the growth of bacteria that starts to attach to the bladder walls. Eating foods rich in antioxidants are certain to help reduce the symptoms related to this health complaint.

Brain Health

Blueberries are believed to help with brain function and slow or even reverse the first signs of memory loss experienced by the elderly. Also, those people that regularly drink blueberry juice are more likely to do well in memory tests compared to those that don’t eat this fruit.

In summary

Blueberries are a well-round superfood and valued as a great source of antioxidants, manganese, fiber, vitamin C and K. A regular consumption of blueberries is believed to help with promoting a better memory, as well as protecting against certain cancers and heart disease.